By: Adelowo Oladipo Minna
Concerned stakeholders from Gbako and Katcha Local Government Areas of Niger State have reaffirmed their position that only candidates from the two LGAs should contest the forthcoming election for the Bida/Katcha/Gbako Federal Constituency seat in the National Assembly Abuja against the next political dispensation .
The resolution was reached at a joint stakeholders’ meeting involving community leaders, elders, and political actors from both local government areas.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Chairman of the Concerned Elders Forum in Katcha, Alhaji Abubakar Katcha, said the decision was anchored on an existing gentleman’s agreement among the three LGAs that make up the constituency.
He explained that the agreement provides for a rotational arrangement, under which each local government is expected to occupy the federal legislative seat for a maximum of eight years before it is zoned to another area.
According to him, Bida Local Government has already exceeded its agreed tenure,
According to him, Bida Local Government has already exceeded its agreed tenure,
having held the position for about 12 years. He noted that representation began with Hon. Bala Faruk in 2015 and is currently held by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdul, who has been in office since 2019 and is reportedly seeking another term.
“The arrangement is clear that every local government in the federal constituency should serve for eight years before the seat moves to another area. Bida has already exceeded that period, and fairness demands that power shifts to either Gbako or Katcha,” he said.
Alhaji Katcha stressed that although zoning is not constitutionally binding, it remains a moral and political understanding that must be respected to maintain peace, fairness, and unity within the constituency.
“Zoning is a gentleman’s agreement. While it may not be captured in the constitution, it is a mutual understanding we all entered into. Disregarding it could lead to unnecessary tension, crisis, and a breakdown of trust among the people,” he added.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Katcha Local Government Elders Forum, Hon. Mohammed Dangana Kudogi, backed the position, urging all political stakeholders, aspirants, and parties to respect the rotational arrangement.
He warned that any attempt to undermine the agreement could jeopardize the unity and harmonious relationship that has existed among the people of the constituency over the years.
Hon. Kudogi further called on political leaders and aspirants from Bida to demonstrate statesmanship by allowing the zoning arrangement to take its course in the interest of equity and sustainable political cooperation.
The stakeholders reiterated their commitment to fairness and inclusiveness in the political process, stressing that adherence to the zoning agreement remains key to preserving stability and mutual respect among the constituent communities.”
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